Currently blogging from my bed because I’ve just taken three exams within a 24-hour period—which, by the way, is illegal according to my college’s book of fancy rules. I’m usually a bit more professional (I write at my desk), so I’m wondering if typing away swathed in white sheets and blankets, sideways, will make the words come out differently any differently. Perspective and environment are, after all, everything.
What’s sleep? Where’s my caffeine? Why don’t I know anything anymore? Exhaustion doesn’t even begin to describe my current state of mind. Only a jumble of useless, last-minute cramming remain: something about in pari dilecto and n-ary relationships and Shattered Glass…
Cue large, unladylike gulp from my beloved 20-oz. Starbucks mug.
But also on my mind lately is the concept of style. There is the impeccably-dressed woman and the woman who walks to the drum of her own beat. There is the extravagantly fashionable costume, and there is the outrageously-curated ensemble. It’s a buy-because-I-can mentality versus a what’s-my-story mindset. It’s not so easy to discern when you’re swept by the hype of who has the newest what, but once the aggrandization wears off, the former just looks, well, silly. Just a little girl in her grandmother’s flapper’s dress. More often than not, I see girls (both on blogs and in real life) who wear fabulous things, beautifully paired ensembles that I can appreciate but can’t admire because I can’t see their personalities. It’s too perfect, almost contrived. It’s right off the hangers. It doesn’t suit who they are or how they look. Something. It’s as if the girl is just a model, and not the woman wearing the clothes. Clothes are supposed to be worn. They’re supposed to be loved! I hate all-new outfits worn for the purpose of being new. It feels foreign to me. I have admiration for the woman (and man) who is spotted wearing something – a signature – over and over again. For style to be effortless and authentic, it must be spontaneous: you put together things that make you feel happy in one particular moment and own it. There’s less preoccupation about fashion and being impressive. There’s no pretention.
Without spontaneity, there is no style. What would set it apart from any other magazine editorial, then?
It sounds cliche but it’s true: clothes speak a lot about the person who wears them. Clothes are a form of cultural self-expression built by years of your perspective, your environment, and various forms of socialization that ultimately become a part of your voice. That voice is your style, and your style, your voice. It is the most succinct and direct means of communicating all that you are and are passionate about. Style is attitude, your past, your present, your future.
It’s not a question of finance either. Yes, you could buy beautiful things at an exorbitant price tag and have a beautifully put together outfit, but almost just as easily you could look the opposite. Style transcends economics because part of being stylish is being realistic. I’m apt to think that those on a budget are pushed to be even more creative. Shopping is simplified when you set limits: you buy what you love, and love what you buy. There’s no room for anything less than perfect in your eyes, and there’s less temptation to buy whatever is hot off the presses in some editorial: you have to look into yourself to know what you want. At the end of the day it’s all about confidence and your outlook. All it takes is looking for the right pieces that speak to who you are. A signature is developed, and fashion becomes fashion no more, but a personal form of art. How you wear something and how you carry yourself is the binding glue that makes your style, ultimately, yours.
“The most stylish people I know have spent lifetimes searching for what complements their body shape, their professional and personal lifestyle, local climate and how much they can reasonably budget for this pursuit. Let me stress that this is not about how much money they have, but how attuned they are to their reality. It’s an almost zen-like sense of self-awareness. It stands to reason that if you only fill your closet with what works then just grabbing things from that closet will be a million times easier…hence the perception of effortless.”
—The Myth of Effortless Chic, The Sartorialist‘s Closer
Why do we wear what we wear?
. . .
x
The power of attraction is a very useful thing. Women who are attractive can be described as pretty, beautiful, gorgeous, hot, or cute. There is a common misconception that physical appearance completely determines attractiveness, but this is simply not true. If you want people to be drawn to you, there are a variety of things you can do as a woman that will have others flocking to you in time.
The power of attraction is a very useful thing. Women who are attractive can be described as pretty, beautiful, gorgeous, hot, or cute. There is a common misconception that physical appearance completely determines attractiveness, but this is simply not true. If you want people to be drawn to you, there are a variety of things you can do as a woman that will have others flocking to you in time.
People are so sensitive about gender issues these days that it’s almost impossible to talk about what’s feminine or masculine without stepping on someone’s toes. If you’re reading this, though, you’re probably looking to get in touch with your more feminine side – those non-physical aspects of yourself that make you feel more like a girl or a woman. There’s nothing wrong with being feminine, or masculine, or androgynous – we all have our preferences, and if femininity is your own, here’s some advice on how to cultivate that.
Secret #8: Don’t go long and blah You know the look: Hair that’s gone just a little too long, has no style and is just plain, well, blah. We’ve all been there (I was there earlier today until I visited Eva Scrivo Salon in NYC). What this hairstyle says to the world is “I am low-maintenance and can’t be bothered with regular salon visits.” This is fine if you aren’t interested in making an impression on anybody and feeling fabulous. But it isn’t sexy. Cut in some layers, add some bangs, get some highlights. Just get yourself to a salon, pronto.
Agreed! Hair is everything as it frames your face. x
Goood post